The increasingly productive farming economy of China provided the foundations for the development of one of the great civilizations of world history: trade and industry expanded, …

During the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), China became a strong, unified, and centralized empire of self-sufficient farmers and artisans, with limited local autonomy. The Song period …

Agriculture was a labor-intensive form of production, and although ancient China’s population was high relative to other areas of the world, increased labor capacity more than compensated for …

Jan 9, 2023 · Trade routes, once firmly established, also carried ideas and innovations as well as goods for sale. In this collection of resources, we examine in detail the myriad of routes that …

May 26, 2022 · However, starting from the 6th century bce, China experienced unprecedented growth in this area. Land became privatized and a highly sought-after commodity, contracts …

These theories and ideas not only explain and interpret the characteristics of the economic cycle in ancient China to a certain extent, but the policies advocated at the time can serve as an …

This text is the basis of a monograph by Nancy Swann, "Food and Money in Ancient China" (Princeton: 1950). Swann’s book is outstanding and has remained important for sixty years – …

Apr 23, 2020 · In northern China millet was the staple crop, while in the Yangtze basin and southern China, rice was the staple. The Yangtze basin was the earliest home of domesticated …

Jul 20, 2025 · This overview will take you through the key aspects of ancient China’s economy, from its early beginnings to the complex systems that emerged in later dynasties.